12 replies to this topic

[ShadowThunder77]

why am i having trouble finding a post ECM playstyle that suits me??

[Shae Starfyre]

I like my Cataphrac, 4 Large Laser, death from above Jump Jetter Post ECM... He is so fun!

[Corvus Antaka]

Aphoticus, on 13 December 2012 - 10:56 AM, said:

I like my Cataphrac, 4 Large Laser, death from above Jump Jetter Post ECM... He is so fun!

To bad DFA doesnt work.

[Mechwarrior Buddah]

ShadowThunder77, on 13 December 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

why am i having trouble finding a post ECM playstyle that suits me??

Yeah my pre ecm playstyle was LRM support (yes, hate me). A fighting style supported in the TT (so much so there are mechs made for this) but hated here. And from what Im reading you have to be within 400m to use LRMs now? Yeah no thanks

[TruePoindexter]

Mechwarrior Buddah, on 13 December 2012 - 11:00 AM, said:

Yeah my pre ecm playstyle was LRM support (yes, hate me). A fighting style supported in the TT (so much so there are mechs made for this) but hated here. And from what Im reading you have to be within 400m to use LRMs now? Yeah no thanks

You can still run them - get a friend to run counter ECM + TAG for you. I've been doing that with my group and the results have been... brutal

[Josef Nader]

It's much harder to use LRMs and SSRMs now. Try direct fire if you don't have a teammate who can TAG for you.

Direct fire hasn't been affected by ECM in the slightest.

[Rackminster]

I was always more interested in brawling than locking on, so I never did much of it. ECM just means enemies don't light up in red for me on my HUD, but I can still see them and shoot them. It really doesn't bother me much until I find that my HUD is scrambled and I can't use my minimap to make sure I haven't rumbled too far from my team. It sucks pretty hard to be engaged in a fight and then see more hostiles coming in and realize that everyone else backed off.

As for LRM's, I think it's fun to TAG and shoot - and there's no end of targets straying out from ECM cover at times; and the rare few rounds with either good spotters or no enemy ECM are a real joy. It certainly breaks up the monotony of Lock/Fire/Lock/Fire/Lock/Fire. My Founder's Catapult isn't a great LRM boat, but he's solid fun. I do enjoy sticking close to and behind the team so I can grab those TAG locks easier. I feel a LOT more like support instead of artillery.

[Arcturious]

It's now more about positioning on the map.

You need to start thinking in terms of fire lanes and visibility. When using LRM - rather than hiding in a corner of the map and being cut off from the team. Instead you need to shadow at least 1-2 others, close enough for support to reach you but also maintaining clear sight lines to allow you to TAG incoming or blind fire those LRM.

The trick is when you see those big slow assault mechs coming towards you, place your cursor in front of their feet. Fire and watch the missiles stream out towards the ground. The Atlas will walk right into the stream which should only be a few metres above the ground by this time.

You can technically get off more volleys this way as you don't need to wait for a lock. You can also fire and forget - jump back behind cover and move position back to line up your next shot. The trade off is that you have less reliable damage than a solid lock might give you.

You really become a target though. Those little ECM scouts will see your missiles and come gunning for you, thinking you're easy prey. That's why you stood nearby to friends. Also, pack a few backup lasers. Even if the scout takes you down you can at least chew up a leg or so before you go. Which is about all you can hope to do with a light mech anyway with the teleporting and lag etc.

I've had success with this, but it does require a massive shift in how you used to play. The rewards are worth it though - when you smash up that Atlas who thought it was invincible and invisible thanks to the ECM , it's a beautiful thing.

Edited by Arcturious, 13 December 2012 - 12:12 PM.

[Pygar]

ShadowThunder77, on 13 December 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

why am i having trouble finding a post ECM playstyle that suits me??

Part is probably mech or weapons selection, the second part is group play vs. PUG play.

Mechs that are overly reliant on LRMs or Streaks are harder to play right now, you will either need to find targets that are not ECM protected, have teammates use ECM or TAG to help you get locks, or you will have to bring direct fire weapons to battles instead.

If you are playing in PUGs instead of organized teams, the teamwork needed to work around ECM will be scarce or non-existent... heck I have even played PUG games lately where the ECM carriers on my team forgot the ECM is good for the whole team, and lost because they all skittered off to rush the base and left the main pack unprotected.

Myself, I play a Dragon, and even before ECM came out I didn't like the LRM launcher on it...and I also fell in with a good merc corp, so I have good teams to play on...so I have a way different view on ECM than somebody trying to play PUGs in a "stock" Catapult or similar missile boat.

Hope that helps answer your question!

Edited by Pygar, 13 December 2012 - 12:35 PM.

[Mechwarrior Buddah]

Arcturious, on 13 December 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

Even if the scout takes you down you can at least chew up a leg or so before you go. Which is about all you can hope to do with a light mech anyway with the teleporting and lag etc.

Yeahj thats why I refuse to play lights. They feel like exploiting and thats no fun to me. Knowing I have an edge on others JUST because of a flaw in the game is cheating to me. But thats me

[Lykaon]

Mechwarrior Buddah, on 13 December 2012 - 11:00 AM, said:

Yeah my pre ecm playstyle was LRM support (yes, hate me). A fighting style supported in the TT (so much so there are mechs made for this) but hated here. And from what Im reading you have to be within 400m to use LRMs now? Yeah no thanks

I still make use of LRM support mechs within my lances.The issue is LRMs as a lone pug are iffy in a premade thay can be pure win.

If you lone pug with a mech you can no longer play the lazy man sit on a hill and spam game.You will need to become an active part of the battle lines and fore on targets you can see yourself.Direct fire is the way to go if you solo.

It is also very helpful to mount a TAG on any LRM specialized mech.With the up comming boost to TAG range I can not stress enough how vital TAG is for LRM use in the post ECM battlefield.

[Codejack]

The game is borken at the moment; I wouldn't make any terribly important changes until they fix ECM, at least.

[kilgor]

I've switched to using heat sensors a lot. You can block targeting sensors, but not your heat.